The draft workouts at the Berto Center have already begun for the Bulls, who have Nos. 28 and 30 in the first round on June 23.

It’s doubtful the Bulls will make a major move on draft night. The last
thing they want to do is add another high-salaried player because of the
uncertainty of the impending lockout and new collective bargaining
agreement.

Perception can turn into harsh reality, and the Bulls’ image as
unfriendly to former stars could adversely affect the team’s ability to
land a premier free agent.

The Cavaliers’ LeBron James, the Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Hawks’ Joe
Johnson plan to discuss their respective plans with each other before
making a decision once free agency begins July 1, Wade told the Tribune
on Wednesday.

The Chicago Bulls have reached out to Phil Jackson through back channels
to gauge his interest in returning to the franchise he won six NBA
titles with, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

There has been no direct contact between Bulls officials and Jackson,
according to the sources, but people close to both parties have spoken
and come away with the belief that Jackson would be open to a potential
reunion in Chicago next season.

In the first 24 hours after the Celtics eliminated the Cavaliers on
Thursday, the Bulls sold more than 500 new full season tickets and a
team official estimated incoming call volume to their sales office stood
roughly 50 times normal levels.

The question now is whether the allure of LeBron James will have a
similar effect on Bulls management.

League sources said Sunday that noted NBA power broker William Wesley
continues to work back channels to sell John Calipari and James as a
package deal to franchises such as the Bulls, Nets and Clippers with
coaching vacancies and salary cap room.

When the Bulls’ coaching search officially began Tuesday, general
manager Gar Forman said he would take his time in finding a replacement
for Vinny Del Negro.

So far, that’s true. Thursday was quiet except for the news that Del
Negro is packed up and planned to head back to Arizona this morning. His
future, though, is as uncertain as the search for his successor.

Six days into the Bulls’ second coaching search in three years seems the
proper time to recall general manager Gar Forman’s dominant theme from
last week’s news conference about finding Vinny Del Negro’s replacement.